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How Much Does The Wind Effect Putts?

We’ve all been there—standing over a short putt, feeling the breeze and wondering, “Is this wind going to impact my putt?” Well, a recent study by Takeru Suzuki et al., looked at this.

This study aimed to understand how different wind speeds and wind directions impacted a putt from ~10 feet. They set up a controlled experiment using indoor artificial turf to eliminate any outside variables. The turf stimped at 12.  Wind speeds were set at 0 mph, ~4.5 mph, and ~9 mph. Seven fans were used to simulate controlled headwind, tailwind, and crosswind. Putts were rolled off a ramp for consistency. The ramp was adjusted so that with no wind, the ball stopped on a target that was ~10 feet away and ~2 inches by ~2 inches in size. They vacuumed the turf every few shots to remove any “tracking” that results from repeatedly rolling a ball on the same path.

The Results: How Much Does the Wind Affect Your Putts?

The findings were eye-opening. Even at just ~4.5 mph, the wind had a noticeable effect on where the ball finished.

• In a ~4.5 mph hurting wind, putts came up short by an average of 11.0 inches.

• In a ~9.0 mph hurting wind, putts came up short of by an average of 16.5 inches.

• In a ~4.5 mph helping wind, putts went an average of 12.2 inches past the target.

• In a ~9.0 mph helping wind, putts went an average of 25.8 inches past the target.

• In a ~4.5 mph crosswind, putts were pushed offline by an average of 6.7 inches.

• In a ~9.0 mph crosswind, putts were pushed offline by an average of 14.1 inches

 Even a light cross-breeze can be enough to push your ball well offline!

Why Wind Matters for Short Putts

It’s easy to think that short putts wouldn’t be affected that much by the wind, but the study shows just how vulnerable these shots are. The margin for error is already small with short putts, and when you add in a breeze, a few inches of impact by the wind is the difference between draining it and a frustrating miss.

The researchers also observed that the wind caused balls to start curving just as they began to lose speed. This means that even if your putt starts on the correct line, a crosswind can nudge it offline right before it stops, which is sometimes why we painfully see a ball dive across the hole at the last second.

How to Handle Windy Conditions on the Green

So, what can you do when you’re facing those windy conditions on the green? Here are some practical tips based on what the study revealed:

1. Downwind and Into the Wind: Just like with a full shot, understanding the wind direction is crucial. If it’s downwind, expect some extra roll, and if it’s into the wind, don’t be afraid to give it a little more juice.

2. Adjust Your Aim for Crosswinds: If you’ve got a crosswind, you may need to adjust your aim slightly to compensate for how much the wind will push your ball. It’s the same principle as aiming a little more left or right with a full swing—just on a smaller scale.

3. Commit to Your Process: Wind adds an extra layer of difficulty. Take an extra breath, steady your stance, and trust your read.

My Thoughts

Wind isn’t just a factor for approach shots or drives—it can have a big impact on your short putts too. Even at relatively low wind speeds, the impact can be enough to make those crucial short putts much trickier. The key is to understand the wind, make the necessary adjustments, and above all, stay relaxed and manage your expectations!

See you next week!

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